Nigeria is divided into 36 states and a Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja. Each state has a capital city that serves as the administrative and political center for that region. Understanding the states and their capitals is essential for anyone interested in Nigeria’s governance, geography, and regional dynamics.
In this blog, we’ll provide an updated list of all 36 states in Nigeria and their respective capitals.
List of 36 States and Their Capitals in Nigeria (2025)
|
State |
Capital |
|
Abia |
Umuahia |
|
Adamawa |
Yola |
|
Akwa Ibom |
Uyo |
|
Anambra |
Awka |
|
Bauchi |
Bauchi |
|
Bayelsa |
Yenagoa |
|
Benue |
Makurdi |
|
Borno |
Maiduguri |
|
Cross River |
Calabar |
|
Delta |
Asaba |
|
Ebonyi |
Abakaliki |
|
Edo |
Benin City |
|
Ekiti |
Ado-Ekiti |
|
Enugu |
Enugu |
|
Gombe |
Gombe |
|
Imo |
Owerri |
|
Jigawa |
Dutse |
|
Kaduna |
Kaduna |
|
Kano |
Kano |
|
Katsina |
Katsina |
|
Kebbi |
Birnin Kebbi |
|
Kogi |
Lokoja |
|
Kwara |
Ilorin |
|
Lagos |
Ikeja |
|
Nasarawa |
Lafia |
|
Niger |
Minna |
|
Ogun |
Abeokuta |
|
Ondo |
Akure |
|
Osun |
Osogbo |
|
Oyo |
Ibadan |
|
Plateau |
Jos |
|
Rivers |
Port Harcourt |
|
Sokoto |
Sokoto |
|
Taraba |
Jalingo |
|
Yobe |
Damaturu |
|
Zamfara |
Gusau |
Importance of States and Capitals in Nigeria
- Administrative Structure: The states and capitals are critical for organizing governance, public services, and infrastructure development.
- Political Representation: Each state contributes representatives to the federal government, ensuring national balance.
- Regional Identity: The capitals often reflect the unique cultural and economic strengths of their regions.
- Resource Distribution: States are key players in the allocation of federal resources for development projects.
FAQs: States and Capitals of Nigeria
1. How many states are in Nigeria?
Nigeria has 36 states and a Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.
2. What is the capital city of Nigeria?
The capital city of Nigeria is Abuja, which is located in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
3. Is Abuja a state in Nigeria?
No, Abuja is not a state. It is the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), serving as the administrative capital of Nigeria.
4. What are the capitals of the North West states of Nigeria?
The capitals of the North West states are:
- Jigawa: Dutse
- Kaduna: Kaduna
- Kano: Kano
- Katsina: Katsina
- Kebbi: Birnin Kebbi
- Sokoto: Sokoto
- Zamfara: Gusau
5. Which state has the capital of Lagos?
Lagos State has Ikeja as its capital.
6. What is the capital of the South East region?
The capital cities in the South East region of Nigeria are:
- Abia: Umuahia
- Anambra: Awka
- Ebonyi: Abakaliki
- Enugu: Enugu
- Imo: Owerri
7. Which state in Nigeria has the capital city of Port Harcourt?
Rivers State has Port Harcourt as its capital.
8. What is the capital of Kwara State?
The capital of Kwara State is Ilorin.
9. Which state is the capital of the oil-rich Niger Delta region?
The capital of Bayelsa State, located in the Niger Delta region, is Yenagoa.
10. Can a state have more than one capital?
No, each state in Nigeria has only one capital. However, some states may have major cities with economic or cultural significance besides the capital.
